Duke  University  Libraries 

Letter  from  the 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #764 


LETTEB  FROM  THE  SECRETARY  OF  HUB. 


Confederate  States  of  Ami. hi.  i,  i 
War  Department, 

Richmond.   March    3I?    1S62.      ) 

To  the  honorable  (he  Speaker 

Of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

Sir  :  In  reply  to  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, I  have  the  honor  to  communicate  herewith  copies 
of  the  official  reports,  on  file  in  this  Department,  of  the  bat- 
tle of  Bethel,  on  the  10th  of  June,  1*61  : 

Very  respectfully,  your  ob'dt  serv't, 

GEO.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. . 


^    >V~  'V\        v  >•    ■    .     W      >:  >\\ 


X 


REPORT  OF  COT,.  J.   B,   MA'ilM'DER. 


Headquarters  Camp   Bethel, 
Bethel  Church,  Jane  1()M,   1891. 

Lieut,  Col.  'Garnf.tt  : 

Sir  :  The  enemy,  thirty-five  hundred  (3,500)  strong, 
attacked  us  at  our  post,  and  after  a  very  animated  Conflict  of 
two  hours  and  a  half  was  repulsed  at  all  points  and  totally 
routed.     Four  companies  of  cavalry  are  now  in  hot  pursuit 

towards  Newport  News.  1  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the 
devotion  of  our  troops,  all  of  whom  did  their  duty  nobly,  and 
whilst  it  might  appear  invidious  to  -peak  particularly  of  any 
regiment  or  corps,  where  all  behaved  so  well,  I  am  compelled 
to  express  my  greal  appreciation  of  the  skill  and  gallantry 
of  Major  Randolph  and  his  Howitzer  Batteries,  and  Colonel 
Hill,  the  officers  and  men  of  the  North  Carolina  regiment. 
As  an  instance  of  the  latter,  I  will  merely  mention  that  a 
gun  under  the  gallant  Captain  Brown  of  the  Howitzer  Bat- 
tery, having  been  rendered  unfit  for  service  by  the  breaking 
of  a  priming  wire  in  the  vent,  and  not  being  defended  l>y 
infantry  from  the  small  number  we  had  at  our  command, 
Captain  Brown  threw  it  over  a  precipice,  and  the  work  was 
occupied  for  a  moment  by  the  enemy.  Captain  Bridget's  of 
the  North  Carolina  Regiment,  in  the  most  gallant  manner 
retook  it  and  held  it  until  Captain  Drown  had  replaced  and 
put  in  position  another  piece,  and  then  defended  it  with  his 
infantry  in  the  most  gallant  manner.  Col.  Hill's  judicious 
and  determined  action  wan  worthy  of  his  ancient  glory, 
and  CYloncl  Strait.  Major  Montague,  Major  Carey.  Cap- 
tains Walker  and  Atkinson,  with  every  officer  and  every 
man  under  their  command,  did  good  service  in  the  front  of 
the  fight. 

The  able  and  efficient  manr.er  in  which  Captains  Douthatt, 
Phillips  and  Jones,  of  the   cavalry  performed  the   duties  of 


infantry,  and  Lieutenant  Chisman  of  the  Wythe  Rifles,  in 
protecting  the  rear  of  the  position,  is  deserving  of  high 
commendation. 

There  were  many  acts  of  personal  gallantry,  some  under 
my  own  observation,  and  others  which  were  reported  to  me, 
that  I  -will  take  occasion  to  mention  in  a  subsequent  commu- 
nication. At  present,  I  expect  another  attack,  and  have  no 
time. 

I  am  extremely  indebted  to  the  two  brothers,  Robert  H. 
and  Wm.  R.  \aughan,  my  Acting  Commissary  and  Quarter- 
master, for  the  most  gallant  and  efficient  services,  no  less 
than  to  my  youthful  aids  Mr.  George  A.  Magruder,  Jr.,  and 
Hugh  Stannard,  who  were  always  in  the  front  of  the  fight, 
and  upon  whom  I  request  the  Government  to  bestow  com- 
missions, as  they  are  desirous  of  entering  the  regular  ser- 
vice. 

In  the  hurry  of  this  communication  I  may  have  omitted1 
to  mention  many  gallant  men. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obd't  serv't, 
(Signed,)  J.  BANKHEAD  MAGRUDER, 

Colonel  Commanding. 

To  Col.  R.  S.  Garnett. 

Number  of  killed  and  wounded  on  our  side — 1  killed  and 
7  v/ounded. 

Enemy — 10  dead  bodies  found  as  reported  to  me,  and 
perhaps  50  wounded.     Three  prisoners. 

Our  force,  all  told,  about  1,200  men. 

Enemy — 3,500  with  18  and  24  pound  guns  besides  light 
guns. 

(Signed,)  J.  B.   M. 

(Official,)  John  Withers, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
A.  &  I.  G.  O.,  March  31,  1862. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  J.   B.  MA.GRUDER. 


!il    LDQUAKTER6    VoRKTOWN.  / 

June  It,   1861.      J 

Sir:  I  had  the  honor  to  transmit  by  Mr.  Hugh  Stannard, 

a  short  account  of  a  battle  with  the  enemy  at  Bethel 
Bridge,  on  the  10th.  This  was  written  on  the  fiehl.  and  I 
had  not  then  had  time  to  ascertain  the  number  of  killed  and 
wounded  on  the  other  side  1  think  I  reported  ten  killed 
and  many  wounded.  1  have  now  to  report  that  eighteen 
dead  were  found  on  the  field,  and  I  learn  Irom  reliable  i  i- 
r.ens  living  on  the  road,  thai  many  dead  a<  well  as  ;i  great 
many  wounded  were  carried,  in  wagons,  to  Hampton.  I  think 
I  can  safely  report  their  loss  al  lrom  25  to  3''  killed,  and  |££) 
wounded.  I  understand  the  enemy  acknowledge  17.5  killed 
and  wounded.  It  is  a  Bource  of  great  gratification  to  me  to 
be  ahle  to  Bay  that  our  own  loss,  as  far  ;is  heard  from, 
only  one  killed  and  seven  wounded — but  too  much  praise 
cannot  be  bestowed  upon  the  heroic  soldier  whom  we  [i  f. 
He  was  one  of  four  who  volunteered  to  set  lire  to  a  b 
in  our  front  which  was  thought  to  afford  protection  to  our 
enemy — and,  advancing  alone  between  the  two  fires,  he  fell 
midway,  pierced  in  tin  forehead  by  a  musket  ball.  Henry 
L.  Wyatt  is  the  name  of  this  brave  soldier,  and  devoted 
patriot.  He  was  a  member  of  the  brave  and  gallant  North 
( 'arolina  Regiment. 

I  omitted  to  mention  in  my  hurried  dispatch  of  the  tenth, 

the  name  of  Capt.  Jones,  of  Cavalry,  who  rendered 

important  service  before  and  during  the  battle.  1  regret  to 
Bay  that  one  of  his  videttee  was  cut  oil  by  the  enemy,  and 
is  presumed  to  have  been  taken  prisoner. 

I  cannot  omit  to  again  bring  to  the  notice  of  thcGeneral- 
Commanding-in-Chief,  the  valuable  services  and  gallant 
conduct  of  the  First  North  Carolina  Regiment,  and  Major 
Randolph  of  the  Howitzer  Batteries.  These  officers  were 
not  only  prompt  and  daring  in  the  execution  of  their  duties, 


but  most  industrious  and  energetic  in  the  preparations  for  the 
conflict.  The  firing  of  the  howitzer  batteries  was  as  perfect 
as  the  bearing  of  the  men,  which  was  entirely  what  it  ought, 
to  have  been.  Captain  Bridgers,  of  the  North  Carolina  Re- 
giment re-took,  in  the  most  daring  manner  and  at  a  critical 
period  of  the  fight,  the  work  from  which  Captain  Brown,  of 
the  artillery  had  withdrawn  a  disabled  gun,  to  prevent  its 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  which  work  had 
been  subsequently  occupied  by  the  enemy.  This  work  was 
soon  again*  occupied  with  another  piece  by  Captain  Brown, 
who  resumed  the  effective  fire.  Captain  Bridgers  deserves 
the  highest  praise  for  this  timely  act  of  gallantry. 

The  Louisiana  Regiment  arrived  after  the  battle  was  Over, 
having  made  a  most  extraordinary  march.  They  returned 
to  Yorktown  the  same  night,  making  a  distance  of  28  miles. 
It  was  not  thought  prudent  to  leave  Yorktown  exposed  any 
longer.  I,  therefore,  occupied  the  ground  with  cavalry, 
and  marched  the  remainder  of  my  forces  to  Yorktown.  We 
took  several  prisoners,  among  them  some  wounded. 

Our  means  of  transportation  were  exceedingly  limited, 
but  the  wounded  enemy  were  carried  with  our  own  wounded 
to  farm  houses  in  our  rear,  where  the  good  people,  who  have 
lost  almost  every  thing  by  this  war,  and  who  could  see  the 
smoking  ruins  of  their  neighbors  housos  destroyed  by  the 
enemy,  both  in  his  advance  and  retreat,  received  them  most 
kindly  and  bound  up  their  wounds.  I  also  ordered  the  hu- 
mane Captain  Brown  to  bury  as  many  of  the  enemy's  dead 
as  could  be  found  near  our  camp,  which  was  done. 

The  cavalry  pursued  the  enemy  for   five   miles,  but  were 
stopped  by  the   bridge  across   Back   river    at    New  Market, 
which  was  destroyed  by  the  flying  enemy  after  crossing  it. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Y"our  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  J.  B.  MAGRUDER, 

Colonel  Commanding. 

(Official,)  John  Withers, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

A.  &  I.  G.  ().,  March  33,  1S62. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  J.  B.  MAGRUDER. 


Division  Headquarters,      ) 
Yorktown,  June  16th,  1861.  \ 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor,  herewith,  to  enclose  for  your  in- 
formation, the  reports  of  Col.  D.  H.  Hill,  1st  regiment  N. 
C;  Lieut.  Col.  Stuart,  loth  Ya.  regiment;  .Major  Ran- 
dolph, Howitzer  Battalion  ;  Major  Montague,  Ya.  Battalion  ; 
Capt.  Worth,  Ya.  Battalion,  of  their  respective  commands, 
during  the  action  of  the  10th  instant,  at  Bethel  Church. 
I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect, 
(Signed.)  J.  B.  MAGRUDER, 

Colonel  Commanding. 
General  S.  Ccc  per, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector-Qoieral,  Richmond,  Fa. 

Official:  John  Withers, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General. 
A.  &  I.  G.  0.,  March  31,  1862. 


REPORT  OF  COL.   D.  H.  HILL. 


Col.  J.  B.    Magruder, 

Commander  York  Line  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  in  obedience  to  or- 
ders from  the  Colonel  commanding,  I  marched  on  the  6th 
instant,  with  my  regiment  and  four  pieces  of  Major  Ran- 
dolph's battery,  from  Yorktown,  on  the  Hampton  road,  to 
Bethel  Church,  nine  miles  from  Hampton.  We  reached 
there  after  dark,  on  a  wet  night,  and  slept  without  tents. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  I  made  a  reconnoisance  of 
the  ground,  preparatory  to  fortifying.  I  found  a  branch  of 
Back  river  on  our  front,  and  encircling  our  right  flank ;  on 
our  left  was  a  dense  and  almost  impassable  wood,  except 
about  150  yards  of  old  field.  The  breadth  of  the  road,  a 
thick  wood  and  narrow  cultivated  field,  covered  our  rear. 
The  nature  of  the  ground  determined  me  to  make  an  en- 
closed work,  and  I  had  the  invaluable  aid  of  Lieut.  Colonel 
Lee,  of  my  regiment,  in  its  plan  and  construction.  Our 
position  had  the  inherent  defect  of  being  commanded  by  an 
immense  field  immediately  in  front  of  it,  upon  which  the 
masses  of  the  enemy  might  be  readily  deployed.  Presum- 
ing that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  carry  the  bridge, 
across  the  stream,  a  battery  was  made  for  its  especial  pro- 
tection, and  Major  Randolph  placed  his  guns  so  as  to  sweep 
all  the  approaches  to  it.  The  occupation  of  two  command- 
ing eminences  beyond  the  creek,  and  on  our  right,  would 
have  greatly  strengthened  our  position,  but  our  force  was 
too  weak  to  admit  of  the  occupation  of  more  than  one  of 
them.  A  battery  was  laid  out  on  it  for  one  of  Randolph's 
howitzers.  We  had  only  25  spades,  6  axes  and  3  picks ; 
but  these  Avere  busily  plied  all  day  and  night  of  the  7th,  and 
all  day  on  the  8th.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  8th,  I  learned 
that  a  marauding  party  of  the  enemy  was  in  a  few  miles  of 
us.  I  called  for  a  party  of  34  men  to  drive  them  back. 
Lieut.   Roberts,  of  F  company,  of  my  regiment,  promptly 


9 

responded,  and  in  five  minutes  his  command  was  en  route. 
I  detached  Major  Randolph,  with  one  howitzer,  to  join  them, 
and  Lieut.  Col.  Lee,  1st  regiment  N.  C.  Volunteers,  re- 
quested, and  was  granted,  permission  to  take  command  of 
the  whole.  After  a  march  of  five  miles,  they  came  across 
the  marauders,  busy  over  the  spoils  of  a  plundered  house. 
A  shell  soon  put  the  plunderers  to  flight,  and  they  were 
chased  over  New  Market  Bridge,  where  our  little  force  was 
halted,  in  consequence  of  the  presence  of  a  considerable 
body,  situated  on  the  other  side.  Lieut.  Col.  Lee  brought 
in  one  prisoner.  How  many  of  the  enemy  was  killed  and 
wounded  is  not  known.  None  of  our  command  was  hurt. 
Soon  after  Lieut.  Col.  Lee  left,  a  citizen  came  dashing  in. 
with  the  information  that  75  marauders  were  on  the  Lack 
river  road  I  called  for  ('apt.  McDowell's  company,  (E)  of 
the  1st  regiment  of  North  Carolina  Volunteers,  and  in  three 
minutes  it  was  in  hot  pursuit.  Lieut.  West,  of  the  Howit- 
zer Battalion,  with  one  piece,  was  detached  to  join  them, 
and  Major  Lane,  of  my  regiment,  volunteered  to  assume 
command  of  the  whole.  After  a  weary  march,  tiny  encoun- 
tered, dispersed  and  chased  the  wretches  over  New  Market 
Bridge — this  being  the  second  race,  on  the  same  day,  over 
the  New  Market  course,  in  both  of  which  the  Yankees 
reached  the  goal  first.  Major  Lane  brought  in  one  prisoner. 
Reliable  citizens  reported  that  two  cart-loads  and  one  lm_ 
load  of  wounded  were  taken  into  Hampton.  We  had  not  a 
single  man  killed  or  wounded.  Col.  Magruder  came  up  that 
evening  and  assumed  command. 

Un  Sunday,  the  9th,  a  fresh  supply  of  tools  enabled  us  to 
put  more  men  to  work,  and,  when  not  engaged  in  religious 
duties,  the  men  worked  vigorously  on  the  entrenchments. 
We  were  aroused  at  3  o'clock  on  Monday  morning,  for  a 
general  advance  upon  the  enemy,  and  marched  three-and-a- 
half  miles,  when  we  learned  that  the  foe,  in  large  force,  was 
within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  us.  We  fell  back  hastily 
upon  our  intrenchments,  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  our  in- 
vaders. Lieut.  Col.  Stuart,  of  the  3d  Virginia  regiment, 
having  come  with  some  180  men,  was  stationed  on  tne  hill 
on  the  extreme  right,  beyond  the  creek,  and  company  G,  of 
my  regiment,  was  also  thrown  over  the  stream,  to  protect 
the  howitser  under  Capt.  Brown.  Capt.  BridgerS,  of  com- 
pany A,  1st  N.  C.  regiment,  took  post  in  the  dense  wood 
beyond  and  to  the  left  of  the  road.  Major  Montague,  with 
three  companies  of  his  battalion,  was  ordered  up  from  the 


10 

rear,  and  took  post  on  our  right,  beginning  at  the  church 
and  extending  along  the  entire  front  on  that  side.  This  fine 
body  of  men,  and  the  gallant  command  of  Lieut.  Colonel 
Stuart,  worked  with  great  rapidity,  and,  in  an  hour,  had 
constructed  temporary  shelters  against  the  enemy's  fire. 
Just  at  9  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  heavy  columns  of  the  enemy 
were  seen  approaching  rapidly  and  in  good  order,  but  when 
Randolph  opened  upon  them,  at  nine  and  a  quarter,  their 
organization  was  completely  broken  up.  The  enemy  prompt- 
ly replied  with  his  artillery,  firing  briskly  but  wildly.  He 
made  an  attempt  at  deployment  on  our  right  of  the  road, 
under  cover  of  some  houses  and  a  paling.  He  was,  how- 
ever, promptly  driven  back  by  our  artillery,  a  Virginia  com- 
pany,— the  "  Life  Guards" — and  companies  B  and  G  of  my 
regiment.  The  enemy  attempted  no  deployment  within  mus- 
kttry  ranges  during  the  day,  except  under  ccver  of  woods,  fences 
or  paling.  Under  cover  of  the  trees,  he  moved  a  strong 
column  to  an  old  ford,  some  three-quarters  of  a  mile  below, 
where  I  had  placed  a  picket  of  some  41)  men.  Col.  Magru- 
der  sent  Capt.  Werth's  company,  of  Montague's  command, 
with  one  howitzer,  under  Sergeant  Crane,  to  drive  back  this 
column,  which  was  done  by  a  single  shot  from  the  howitzer. 
Before  this,  a  priming  wire  had  been  broken  in  the  vent  of 
the  howitzer  commanded  by  Capt.  Brown,  and  rendered  it 
useless.  A  force  estimated  at  1,500  was  now  attempting  to 
out-flank  us,  and  get  in  the  rear  of  Lieut.  Colonel  Stuart's 
small  command ;  he  was  accordingly  directed  to  fall  back, 
and  the  Avhole  of  our  advanced  troops  were  withdrawn.  At 
this  critical  moment  I  directed  Lieut.  Col.  Lee  to  call  Capt. 
Bridgers  out  of  the  swamp,  and  ordered  him  to  re-occupy 
the  nearest  advanced  work,  and  I  ordered  Capt.  Boss,  com- 
pany C,  1st  regiment  N.  C.  Volunteers,  to  the  support  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Stuart.  These  two  captains,  with  their  compa- 
nies, crossed  over  to  Randolph's  battery,  under  a  most  heavy 
fire,  in  a  most  gallant  manner.  As  Lieut.  Col.  Stuart  had 
withdrawn,  Capt.  Ross  was  detained  at  the  church,  near 
Randolph's  battery.  Capt.  Bridgers,  however,  crossed  over 
and  drove  the  Zouaves  out  of  the  advanced  howitzer  battery 
and  re-occupied  it.  It  is  impossible  to  over-estimate  this 
service  ;  it  decided  the  action  in  our  favor.  In  obedience  to 
orders  from  Colonel  Magruder,  Lieut.  Col.  Stuart  marched 
back,  and,  in  spite  of  the  presence  of  a  foe  ten  times  his 
superior  in  number,  resumed,  in  the  most  heroic  manner, 
possession  of  his  intrenchments.     A  fresh  howitzer  was  car- 


11 

ried  across  and  placed  in  the  battery,  and  Capt.  Avery,  of 
company  <!.  was  directed  to  defend  it  at  all  hazards. 

We  were  now  as  Be  are  as  at  the  beginning  of  the  fight, 

and  as  ye1  had  no  man  killed.  The  enemy  fiuding  himself 
foiled  on  our  right  flank,  next  made  his  final  demonstration 
on  our  left.  A  strong  column,  supposed  to  consist  of  vol- 
unteers from  different  regiments,  and  under  command  of 
Capt.  Winthrop,  Aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Butler,  crossed  over 
the  creek  and  appeared  a!  the  angle  on  our  left.  Those  in 
advance  had  put  on  our  distinctive  badge,  of  a  white  band 
around  the  cap,  and  they  cried  out  repeatedly,  "don't  fire." 
This  ruse  was  practiced  to  enable  the  whole  column  to  get 
over  the  creek' and  form  in  good  order.  They  now  began  to 
cheer  most  lustily,  thinking  that  our  work  was  open  at  the 
gorge,  and  that  they  could  get  in  by  a  sudden  rush.  Com- 
panies Band  0,  however,  dispell  ~d  the  illusion  by  a  Cool, 
deliberate,  and  well-directed  fire.  Col.  Magruder  sent  over 
portions  of  G,  C  and  II  companies,  of  my  regiment,  to  our 
support,  and  now  began  as  cool  firing,  on  our  side,  as  was 
ever  witnessed. 

The  three  held  officers  of  the  Regiment  were  present,  and. 
but  few  shots  were  fired  without  their  permission,  the  men 
repeatedly  saying.  "  may  I  fire  ;"  "I  think  I  can  bring  him." 
They  were  all  in  high  glee,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  it  as  much 
as  hoys  do  rabbit  shooting.  Capt.  Winthrop.  while  most 
gallantly  urging  on  his  men.  was  shot  through  the  heart. 
when  all  rushed  hack  with  the  utmost  precipitation.  So  far 
as  nry  observation  extended,  he  was  the  only  one  of  the 
enemy  who  exhibited  even  an  approximation  to  courage  du- 
ring the  whole  day. 

'ldie  fight  at  the  angle  lasted  but  twenty  minutes.  It 
completely  discouraged  the  enemy,  and  he  made  no  further 
effort  at  assault.  The  house  in  front,  which  had  served  as  a 
hiding  place  for  the  enemy,  was  now  fired  by  a  shell  from  a 
howitzer,  and  the  out-houses  and  palings  were  soon  in  a 
blaze.  As  all  shelter  was  now  taken  from  him.  the  enemy 
called  in  his  troops,  and  started  back  for  Hampton.  As  he 
had  left  sharp-shooters  behind  him  in  the  woods  on  our  left, 
the  dragoons  could  not  advance  until  Capt.  IToke,  of  Com- 
pany K,  1st  N.  0.  Volunteers,  had  thoroughly  explored 
them.  As  soon  as  he  gave  the  assurance  of  the  road  being 
clear,  Capt.  Douthatt,  with  some  HH)  dragoons,  in  compli- 
ance with  Col.  Magruder's  orders,  pursued.  The  enemy,  in 
his    haste,   threw    away   hundreds  of  canteens,  havers-  cks. 


12 

over-coats,  &c. — even  the  dead  were  thrown  out  of  the  wag- 
ons. The  pursuit  soon  became  a  chase,  and,  for  the  third 
time,  the  enemy  won  the  race  over  the  New  Market  Course. 
The  bridge  was  torn  up  behind  him,  and  our  dragoons  re- 
turned to  camp.  There  were  not  quite  800  of  my  Regiment 
engaged  in  the  fight,  and  not  one  half  of  these  drew  trigger 
during  the  day.  All  remained  manfully  at  the  posts  as- 
signed them,  and  not  a  man  in  the  Regiment  behaved  badly. 
The  companies  not  engaged  were  as  much  exposed,  and  ren- 
dered equal  service  with  those  participating  in  the  fight. 
They  deserve  equally  the  thanks  of  the  country.  In  lact, 
it  is  the  most  trying  ordeal  to  which  soldiers  can  be  sub- 
jected, to  receive  a  fire,  which  their  orders  forbid  them  to 
return.  Had  a  single  company  left  its  post,  our  works 
would  have  been  exposed.  And  the  constancy  and  disci- 
pline of  the  unengaged  companies  cannot  be  too  highly  com- 
mended. A  detachment  of  fifteen  cadets,  from  the  N.  C. 
Military  Institute,  defended  the  Howitzer  under  Lt.  Hud- 
nall,  and  acted  with  great  coolness  and  determination.  I 
cannot  speak  in  too  high  terms  of  my  two  field  officers,  Lt. 
Col.  Lee  and  Major  Lane.  Their  services  have  been  of  the 
highest  importance,  since  taking  the  field  to  the  present 
moment.  My  thanks,  too,  are  due,  in  an  especial  manner, 
to  Lieut.  J.  M.  Poteat,  Adjutant,  and  Lieut.  J.  W.  Ratch- 
ford,  Aid — both  of  them  Cadets  of  the  N.  C.  Institute,  at 
Charlotte.  The  latter  received  a  contusion  in  the  forehead 
from  a  grape  shot,  which  nearly  cost  him  his  life.  Captain 
Bridgers'  Company,  A,  Lt.  Owens,  commanding  Company 
B,  Capt.  Ross,  Company  C,  Capt.  Ashe,  Company  D,  Capt. 
McDowell,  Company  E,  Capt.  Starr,  Company  K,  Captain 
Avery,  Company  G,  Capt.  Huske,  Company  H,  Lt.  Whitta- 
ker,  commanding  Company  J,  Capt.  Hoke,  Company  K,  dis- 
played great  coolness,  judgment  and  efficiency.  Lt.  Greg- 
ory is  highly  spoken  of  by  Major  Lane,  for  soldierly  bear- 
ing on  the  8th.  Sts.  Cook  and  McKethan,  Company  H, 
crossed  over  under  a  heavy  fire  to  the  assistance  of  the 
troops  attacked  on  the  left.  So  did  Lt.  Cohen,  Company  C. 
Lt.  Hoke  has  shown  great  zeal,  energy  and  judgment,  as  an 
Engineer  officer,  on  various  occasions. 

Corporal  Geo.  Williams,  Cpmpany  A, 
Privates,  Henry  L.  "Wyatt,     "  " 

"  Thomas  Fall'an,        "  " 

."  John  Thorpe,  "  " 


13 

Volunteered  to  burn  the  house  which  concealed  the  enemy. 
They  behaved  with  great  gallantry.  Wyatt  was  killed,  and 
the  other  three  were  recalled. 

Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Stewart,  Company  A.  and  private 
Wm.  McDowell,  Company  A.  reconnoitered  the  position  of 
the  enemy,  and  went  far  in  advance  of  our  troop-.  Private 
J.  W.    Potts,  of  Company  B,  is  specially  mentioned  by  his 

company  commander;   so  are — 

Sergeant  William  Elmo,  Company    C, 

C.  L.  Watts,  "         D, 

W.  11.  McDade,  "         D, 

Sergeant  J.  M.  Xoung,  "         E, 

Corp'l       John  Dingier,  "  " 

Privates  G.  H.  A.  Adam?,  "  " 

"  R.   V.  Gudger,  "  " 

"  G.  W.  Werley,  " 

"  John  C.  Wright, 

T.  V.  Little, 

"  J.  F.  Jenkins,  " 

R.  W.  Stedman,  "         P, 
M.  E.  Dye, 

"  II.  E.  Benton,  "  " 

"  J.  B.  Smith. 

(J.  W.  Buhmann,  "         II, 

"  Jamea  C.  McRae,  " 

Cash  iltii  - 


Private  Henry  L.  Wyatt.  Company  K,  mortally  wounded. 

Lieut.  J.  W.  Ratchford,  contusion. 

Pri.  Council  Rodgers,  Company  II,  severely  wounded. 

"   Charles  Williams,  "  "  "  '•« 

Private  S.  Patterson,  "  D,  slightly  wounded. 

"       William  White.         "  K,  wounded. 

"       Peter  Poteat,  "  <i.  slightly  wounded. 

I  cannot  close  this  too  elaborate  report,  without  speaking 
in  the  highest  terms  of  admiration  of  the  Hcwitzer  Battery 
and  its  most  accomplished  Commander,  Major  Randolph.  He 
has  no  superior  as  an  artillerist  in  any  country,  and  his  men 
displayed  the  utmost  skill  and  coolness.     The  left  Howitzer, 


14 

under  Lieut.  Hudnall,  being  nearest  my  works,  came  under 
my  special  notice.     Their  names  are  as  follows: 

Lieut.  Hudnall,  commanding,  wounded, 

Serg't  S.  B.  Hughes, 

G.  H.  Pendleton, 

R.  P.  Pleasants, 

Wm.  M.  Caldwell, 

Geo.  W.  Hobson, 

Wm.  McCarthy, 

H.  C.   Shook,  wounded, 

L.  W.  Timberlake, 

Geo.  P.  Hughes, 

Jno.  Worth,  wounded, 

D.  B.  Clark. 

Permit  me,  in  conclusion,  to  pay  a  well-deserved  compli- 
ment to  the  i  st  Regiment  N.  C.  Volunteers.  Their  patience, 
under  trial,  perseverance,  under  toil,  and  courage  under  fire, 
have  seldom  been  surpassed  by  veteran  troops.  Often  work- 
ing night  and  day — sometimes  without  tents  and  cooking 
utensils — a  murmur  has  never  escaped  them,  to  my  knowl- 
edge. They  have  done  a  large  portion  of  the  work  on  the 
intienchments  at  Yorktown,  as  well  as  those  at  Bethel.  Had 
all  ol  the  Regiments  in  the  field  worked  with  the  same  spirit, 
there  would  not  be  an  assailable  point  in  Virginia.  After 
the  battle,  they  shook  hands  affectionately  with  the  spades, 
calling  them  "clever  fellows  and  good  friends." 

The  men  are  influenced  by  high,  moral  and  religious  sen- 
timents, and  their  conduct  has  furnished  another  example  of 
the  great  truth,  that  he  who  fears  God,  will  ever  do  his  duty 
to  his  country. 

The  Confederates  had  in  all  about  1,200  men  in  the  ac- 
tion. The  enemy  had  the  Regiments  of  Col.  Duryea, 
(Zouaves.)  Col.  Carr,  Col.  Allen,  Col.  Benedict,  and  Col. 
Wardrop,  (Massachusetts,)  from  Old  Point  Comfort,  and  five 
Companies  of  Phelps'  Regiment,  from  Newport  News.  We 
had  nevermore  than  300  actively  engaged  at  any  one  time. 
The  Confederate  loss  was  1 1  wounded ;  of  these,  one  mor- 
tally. The  enemy  must  have  lost  some  300.  I  could  not, 
without  great  disparagement  of  their  courage,  place  their 
loss  at  a  lower  figure.  It  is  inconceivable  that  5,000  men 
should  make  so  precipitate  a  retreat,  without  having  sus- 
tained at  least  this  much  of  a  reverse. 


\5 

Let  us  devotedly  thank  the  living  God  for  his  wonderful 
interposition  in  our  favor,  and  evince  our  gratitude  by  the 
exemplariness  of  our  lives. 

With  great  respect, 
(Signed,)  D.   H.  HILL, 

Col.  1st  RegH  N.  C.  Volunteers. 
(Official:) 

Jno.  Withers, 
Ass't  Adjutant  GenH. 
A,  &  I.  G.  0., 

March  31,  '62, 


16 


REPORT   OF    LIEUT.    COLONEL   WJ1.  D.    STUART. 


Headquarters  Detachment,  3d  Reg't.,  > 

Virginia  Volunteers,  Yorktown,  Va.       ) 

Colonel  John  B.  Magruder  : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  r  port  that  I  took  the  position 
assigned  me,  in  the  engagement  of  the  10th,  to  the  right 
and  in  front  of  the  line-of-battle,  and  completed  the  slight 
breastwork  erected  to  protect  the  command,  consisting  of 
three  companies  of  my  detachment,  commanded  by  Capts. 
Walker,  Childrey  and  Charters,  numbering,  rank  and  file,  2'.)8 
men.  The  enemy  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  the  orchard, 
immediately  in  front  and  to  our  left,  protected  on  the  left  by 
several  frame  buildings  and  sheds;  those  in  front  were  dis- 
persed by  a  fire  from  the  first  platoon  of  Captain  Walker's 
company,  but  we  were  annoyed  by  the  fire  from  behind  the 
buildings,  and  the  battery  in  the  road  to  our  left,  but  under 
cover  of  the  breastworks,  the  men  remained  unhurt.  After 
the  dispersion  of  the  skirmishers,  a  column  of  about  fifteen 
hundred  appeared  in  the  road  immediately  in  our  front, 
extending  from  the  left  to  right,  with  a  battery  of  artillery 
in  front,  and  advancing  a  line  of  skirmishers  down  the  ravine 
on  my  right,  protected  from  both  view  and  fire,  which  fact 
was  reported  to  me  by  scouts  sent  out  for  the  purpose  of  ob- 
serving their  movements.  The  battery  in  front  commenced 
advancing  on  the  left  of  the  ravine  and  immediately  in  our 
front.  The  battery  supporting  us  on  the  left  had  been 
silenced  and  withdrawn  sometime  before  this.  These  facts 
being  communicated  to  you^in  obedience  to  your  orders,  I 
retired  in  order  through  the  swamp  to  the  2d  position  assign- 
ed me  on  the  hill,  on  the  left  of  the  church.  Here,  one  of 
my  companies  was  detached,  and  sent  to  the  support  of  Capt. 
Werth,  another  under  Captain  Walker  was  sent  to  Presson's, 
near  the  Warwick  and  York  Bridge.  About  this  time,  Capt. 
Atkinson's  company  had  arrived  on  the  field,  and  with  this 
and  a  detachment  of  the  Wythe  Rifles,  I  re-crossed  the 
swamp,  advanced  and   regained  my  former  position.     I  was 


17 

supported  at  this  time  by  a  portion  of  company  G,  of  North 
Carolina  Rifles,  and  with  their  aid  again  drove  off  some  skir- 
mishers advancing  through  the  orchard.  The  firing,  how- 
ever, after  I  regained  my  position,  was  irregular  on  the  part 
of  the  enemy,  and  I  only  permitted  some  few  shots  to  be 
fired  at  a  prominent  position  of  their  column,  and  stragglers 
skulking  behind  the  fences,  owing  to  the  enemy  being  much 
beyond  rifle  range. 

Both  officers  and  men  under  my  command  behaved  with 
the  greatest  coolness  throughout  the  whole  engagement  and 
none  were  injured. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed.)  WM.  D.   STUART, 

Lieut.  Colonel  3rd  Ya.  Volunteers. 
(Official,)    .  John  Withers, 

A.  A.  General. 
A.  &  I  G.  0.,  March  SI,  1861. 

2 


18 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GEO.   W.  RANDOLPH. 


Yorktown,  June  12th,  1861. 

Col.  John  B.  Magruder, 

Com'g  the  Division  at  Yorktoivn  : 

Colonel:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  the  action  of 
the  10th  instant,  the  Howitzer  Battalion,  under  my  command, 
fired  eighteen  (18)  solid  shot  and  eighty  (8.))  shells,  spheri- 
cal case  and  canister,  and  was  injured  In  the  following  par- 
ticulars : 

A  Lieutenant  and  two  privates  were  wounded,  (one  se- 
verely and  two  slightly,)  five  (5)  horses  and  three  (3)  mules 
were  killed  or  disabled,  the  Parrott  gun  (iron  rifled,)  had  its 
linstock  splintered,  and  a  musket  ball  passed  through  the 
felloe  of  the  left  wheel,  a  musket  ball  pierced  the  corner 
plate  and  a  partition  of  the  limber  chest  of  one  of  the  howit- 
zers and  lodged  against  a  shell  ;  two  poles  of  caissons,  one 
set  of  swingle  bars,  one  large  pointing  ring,  a  chain  for  a 
rammer  and  several  priming  wires  were  broken;  and  one  of 
the  howitzers  was  spiked  by  the  breaking  of  a  priming  wire 
in  its  vent. 

I  have  already  made  a  requisition  for  ammunition  enough 
to  fill  all  the  chests  of  the  battalion,  and  will  submit  as  soon 
as  practicable  requisitions  for  what  ever  else  may  be  re- 
quired. 

As  the  position  of  the  pieces  was  under  your  own  observa- 
vation,  it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that  the  Parrott  gun,  and 
one  howitzer  were  posted  in  the  battery  immediately  on  the 
right  of  the  road  leading  to  Hampton ;  that  a  howitzer  was 
placed  in  the  battery  erected  on  the  right  beyond  the  ravine 
through  which  a  pass-way  was  made  for  the  purpose  oi  with- 
drawing the  piece  if  necessary ;  a  howitzer  was  posted  near  the 
bridge  ;  the  rifled  howitzer  was  placed  on  the  left  of  the  road 
behind  the  right  of  a  redoubt  erected  by  the  North  Carolina 
Regiment ;  and  a  howitzer  was  posted  in  the  rear  of  the  road 
leading   from   the  half-way- house;   a  howitzer  having  been 


19 

previously  sant  to  the  h.ilf-way-house  under  the  commmdof 
Lieutenant  Moseley. 

Early  in  the  action  the  howitzer  in  the  battery  on  the 
right  having  been  spiked  by  the  breaking  of  the  priming 
wire,  was  withdrawn  from  its  position  and  the  infantry  sup- 
porting it  fell  hack  upon  the  church,  hut  it  was  subsequent- 
ly replaced  by  the  howitzer  of  Lieut.  Moseley,  which  arri- 
ved at  a  later  period  of  the  action. 

The  ford  on  the  left  being  threatened,  the  howitzer  at  the 
bridge  was  withdrawn  and  sent  to  that  point,  and  the  rilled 
howitzer  was  withdrawn  from  the  left  of  the  road,  and  sent 
to  assist  in  the  protection  of  the  rear. 

The  same  disposition  was  subsequently  made  of  the  howit- 
zer at  the  main  battery,  situated  immediately  on  the  right  .n 
the  road. 

The  enemy  came  in  sight  on  the  road  leading  from  Hamp- 
ton a  few  minutes  before  9  o'clock.  A.  M..  and  their  advance 
guard  halted  at  a  house  on  the  road  side  about  (6  10  yards) 
in  front  of  our  main  battery.  Fire,  however,  was  nol  Oj 
upon  them  for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  when  from  the  number 
of  bayonets  visible  in  the  road,  we  judged  that  a  heavy  col- 
umn was  within  range. 

The  action  then  commenced  by  a  shot  from  the  Parrott 
gun.  aimed  by  myself,  which  struck  the  centre  of  the  road  a 
short  distance  in  front  of  their  column  and  probably  did  good 
execution  in  its  ricochet.  At  no  time  could  we  seethe  bodies 
of  the  men  in  the  column  and  our  fire  was  directed  by  their 
bayonets;  their  position  being  obscured  by  the  shade  of  the 
woods  on  their  right  and  two  small  houses  on  their  left,  and 
somewhat  in  advance  of  them.  Our  fire  was  immediately  re- 
turned by  a  battery  near  the  head  of  their  column,  but  con- 
cealed by  the  woods  and  the  houses  so  effectually  that  we 
only  ascertained  its  position  by  the  Hash  of  the  pieces.  The 
fire  was  maintained  on  our  side  for  sometime  by  the  five 
pieces  posted  in  front  of  our  position  ;  but  as  already  stated, 
one  of  them  being  spiked  and  another  withdrawn  to  protect 
the  ford  early  in  the  action,  the  fire  was  continued  with 
these  pieces  and  at  no  time  did  we  afterwards  have  more  than 
three  pieces  playing  upon  the  enemy.  The  fire  on  our  part 
was  deliberate  and  was  suspended  whenever  masses  of  the 
enemy  were  not  within  range,  and  the  execution  was  good, 
as  I  afterwards  ascertained,  by  a  personal  inspection  of  the 
principal  position  of  the  enemy.  The  cannonade  lasted  with 
intervals  of  suspension  from  a  few  minutes  before  9  o'clock, 


20 

A.  M.,  until  1  1-2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  the  fact  that  during 
this  time  but  ninety-eight  (98)  shot  were  fired  by  us,  tends 
to  show  that  the  firing  was  not  too  rapid. 

The  earth-works,  thrown  up  by  the  battalion,  were  struck 
several  times  by  the  common  shot  of  the  enemy,  but  no  in- 
jury was  sustained.  They  fired  upon  us  with  shot,  shell, 
spherical  case,  canister  and  grape,  from  six  and  twelve 
pounders,  at  a  distance  of  about  six  hundred  (600)  yards, 
but  the  only  injury  received  fr  m  their  artillery  was  the  loss 
of  one  mule. 

We  found  in  front  of  our  main  batter}'',  in  and  near  the 
yard  of  the  small  house  already  mentioned,  five  killed  and 
one  mortally  wounded  by  the  fire  of  our  artillery.  We 
heard  of  two  others  killed  at  Cramdall's,  about  a  mile  from 
us,  and  have  reason  to  believe  there  were  many  others. 

The  injury  done  to  our  artillery  was  from  the  fire  of  mus- 
ketry on  our  left  flank.  The  ground  on  that  side,  between 
us  and  the  enemy,  sinking  down,  so  as  to  expose  us  over 
the  top  of  the  breast-work,  erected  by  the  North  Carolina 
Regiment. 

After  some  intermission  of  the  assault  in  front,  a  heavy 
column,  apparently  a  reinforcement  or  reserve,  made  its  ap- 
pearance on  the  II:  mpton  Road,  and  pressed  forward 
towards  the  bridge,  carrying  the  United  States  flag  near  the 
head  of  the  column.  As  the  road  had  been  clear  for  some 
time,  and  our  flanks  and  rear  had  been  threatened,  the  how- 
itzer in  the  main  battery  had  been  sent  to  the  rear,  and  our 
fere  did  not  at  first  check  them,  I  hurried  a  howitzer  forward 
from  the  rear,  loaded  it  with  canister,  and  prepared  to  sweep 
the  approach  to  the  bridge ;  but  the  fire  of  the  Farrott  gun 
again  drove  them  back.  The  howitzer,  brought  from  the  half- 
way house  by  Lieut.  Moseley,  arriving  most  opportunely,  I 
carried  it  to  the  battery  on  the  right  to  replace  the  disabled 
piece.  On  getting  there,  I  learned  from  the  infantry  that  a 
small  house  in  front  was  occupied  by  sharp-shooters,  and 
saw  the  body  of  a  Carolinian  lying  thirty  yards  in  front  of 
the  battery,  who  had  been  killed  in  a  most  gallant  attempt 
to  burn  the  house. 

I  opened  upon  the  house  with  shell,  for  the  purpose  of 
burning  it ;  and  the  battery  of  the  enemy,  in  the  Hampton 
Road — being  on  a  line  with  it — and,  supposing  probably 
that  the  fire  was  at  them,  immediately  returned  it  with  solid 
shot.  This  disclosed  their  position,  and  enabled  me  to  fire 
at  the  house  and  at  their  battery,  at  the  same  time.     After 


21 

an  exchange  of  five  or  six  shots,  a  shell  entered  a  window  of 
the   house,  increased   the  fire,  already  kindled,  until  it 
broke  out  into  a  light  blaze,  and,  us  I  have  reason  to  believe, 
disabled  one  of  the  enemy's  pieci  9.     This  was  the  Last 
fired.     They  soon  afterwards  retreated,  and  wc  saw  no  more 
of  them. 

The  act it'n  disclosed  some  serious  defects  in  our  ammuni- 
tion  and  equipment,  for  which   1  earnest) 
immediate   remedy.     The    Bhell   of  the  Parrott  gun  have  a 
fixed  wooden  fuse,  which  cannot  be  extricated.    The 
being  cut  for  four  seconds.     The  consequence  was,  thai 
shells  hurst  far  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  served  me 

Had  tln-y  been  plugged  and  tincul  fuses  fi>r- 
nished,    I  think   that  our   lire   would   have  been    much    i 
effective.    The  power  and  precision  of  the  piece,  demonstra- 
ted   by  the  thirty   rounds   fired  from  it,  render   it  very  de- 
tiiable  that  all  of  its  advantages  should  be  made  available. 

I  therefore  respectfully  -bell  be  b 

furnished  plugged,  and  the  ft  uncut. 

It  is  reported  to  me  that  the  Borman  fu 
of  the  howitzers,  were  defective — the  shells  cut  for  five  - 
onds  exploding  as  s  >on  as  those  cut  for  I 

The  caissons  of  the  Navy  Howitzers  were  made  by  plac- 
ing ammunition  chests  upon  the  running  gear  of  common 
wagons,  and  the  play  of  the  front  axles  is  BO  limited,  that 
the  caisson  cannot  be  turned  in  the  ordinary  roads  of  this 
part  of  the  country  ;  and  wherever  the  road  is  ditched,  or 
the  woods  impassable,  it  cannot  be  reversed.  There  is  ah  ) 
great  danger  of  breaking  the  poles  in  turning  the  cais 
quickly,  as  was  shown  in  the  action  of  the  lllth  instant.  I 
am  aware  that  the  expedient  of  using  wagon  bodies  was  re- 
sorted to  in  order  to  save  time;  but,  as  it  might  lead  to 
great  disaster,  I  recommend  that  their  places  be  supplied  as 
speedily  as  possible  with  those  made  in  the  usual  way. 

The  small  size  of  the  limber  of  the  howitzer-.  (Navy,) 
renders  it  impossible  to  mount  the  men,  and  the  pieces  can- 
not move  faster  than  the  cannoniers  can  walk.  In  a  re 
skirmish  with  the  enemy,  in  which  we  pursued  them  rapidly, 
we  could  only  carry  two  men  ;  and  having  got  far  ahead  of 
the  others,  we  had  to  nnlimber  and  lire  with  only  two  can- 
noniers at  the  piece.  The  piece  having  only  two  h or 
and  the  carriage  being  very  light,  it  is  hazardous  to  mount 
any  person  on  the  limber. 

I   therefore  recommend   that  four   horses  be  furnished  to 


22 

each  Navy  Howitzer — one  for  the  chief,  and  the  other  three 
for  the  men  usually  mounted  on  the  limber. 

We  have  succeeded,  since  the  action,  in  unspiking  the 
howitzer  disabled  by  the  breaking  of  the  priming  wire,  but 
from  the  inferior  metal  used  in  making  our  priming  wires, 
we  shall  have  to  lay  them  aside  altogether,  and  I  must  re- 
quest that  better  ones  be  furnished.  At  present  I  can  say 
nothing  more  of  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
battalion,  than  to  express  the  high  gratification  afforded  me 
by  their  courage,  coolness  and  precision,  and  to  ask  permis- 
sion at  a  future  time,  to  call  your  attention  to  individual 
instances  of  gallantry  and  good  conduct.  I  have  requested 
the  commandants  of  companies  to  furnish  me  with  the  names 
of  such  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  as  they  think 
especially  worthy  of  notice. 

I  am  happy  at  having  an  opportunity  to  render  my  ac- 
knowledgments to  Col.  Hill,  the  Commandant  of  the  North 
Carolina  Regiment,  for  the  useful  suggestions  which  his  ex- 
perience as  an  artillery  officer  enabled  him  to  make  to  me 
during  th.3  action,  and  to  bear  testimony  to  the  gallantry 
and  discipline  of  that  portion  of  his  command  with  which  I 
was  associated.  The  untiring  industry  of  his  Regiment  in 
intrenching  our  position,  enabled  us  to  defeat  the  enemy 
with  a  nominal  loss  on  our  side. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  GEORGE  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Major  Commanding  the  Howitzer  Battalion.  • 

(Official  copy :) 

Jxo.  Withers, 

A.  A.   General. 

A.  &  I.   G.    0., 

March  31,  '62. 


23 


REPORT  OF    MA.IOR  E.  B.  MO>~TA«;rE. 


On  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  June,  my  command  re- 
ported to  Colonel  Magruder  at  Bethel  Church,  according  to 
orders.  At in  the  morning  information  was  re- 
ceived that  the  enemy  in  force  were  advancing  upon  us. 
Col.  M.  immediately  ordered  me  to  throw  up  a  redoubt  front- 
ing toward  a  ravine  over  which  it  was  supposed  the  enemy 
might  attempt  to  turn  our  right  flank.  My  men  worked 
well  and  had  nearly  finished  the  redoubt,  when  the  first  gun 
from  our  batteries  was  fired,  which  took  place  at  —  o'clock, 
A.  M.  The  enemy  returned  the  fire  with  spirit,  and  the 
shells  and  shot  flew  thick  and  fast  about  my  command,  who 
Were  in  a  peculiarly  exposed  condition,  my  redoubt  flanking 
towards  and  being  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  points  of 
attack.  Fortunately  for  my  command,  however,  the  major 
part  of  the  enemy's  shot  had  sufficient  elevation  to  pass  over 
our  heads,  though  many  shell  and  solid  shot  fell  within  a  few 
feet  of  our  redoubt,  one  ball  passed  under  my  horse  between 
his  fore  and  hinder  feet ;  several  others  passed  within  a  few 
feet  of  his  head,  and  a  few  buried  themselves  in  our  breast- 
work. Had  the  enemy's  guns  been  slightly  depressed  he 
must  have  raked  my  whole  line  with  his  enfilading  fire.  A 
very  short  time  after  the  firing  commenced,  I  received  an 
order  to  direct  one  of  my  companies,  the  Chatham  Grays, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Werth,  to  defend  a  ford  one 
mile  below  the  bridge  against  the  first  battalion  of  the  New 
York  Zouave  Regiment,  and  I  saw  no  more  of  the  company 
until  after  the  fight.  About  —  minutes  after  the  fight,  and 
after  Lieut.  Colonel  Stuart  had  been  compelled  to  fall  back 
across  the  ravine  and  occupy  my  redoubt,  Col.  Magruder  or- 
dered me  to  take  my  command  about  1  1-4  miles  around  to 
aid  the  Wythe  Rifles,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Chis- 
man,  in  guarding  a  marsh  where  bethought  the  enemy  were 
attempting  to  turn  our  left  flank.  I  immediately  carried 
my  command  around  to  the  point  indicated  at  the  double 
quick,  joined  the  rifles,  and  deployed  my  whole  command  as 
skirmishers,  over  line  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  under  cover  of 


24 

a  dense  foliage.  We  remained  in  this  position  until  late  in 
the  evening,  when  we  were  ordered  back  by  Col.  Magruder 
to  the  church.  The  enemy  did  not  attempt  to  cross  out- 
line, and  we  remained  quiet  and  inactive  during  the  remain- 
der of  the  fight.  We  had  no  killed  or  wounded.  Every 
man  in  my  whole  command,  both  officers  and  men  were  per- 
fectly cool,  calm  and  collected  during  the  whole  time  which 
we  were  exposed  to  the  enfilading  fire  from  the  enemy's  bat- 
tery, and  to  the  diagonal  fire  of  musketry  from  his  left  flank. 
I  have  no  hesitancy  in  expressing  my  gratification  at  the 
manner  in  which  my  command,  the  Halifax  Light  Infantry, 
Captain  Grammer,  the  Chatham  Grays,  Captain  Werth,  and 
the  Old  Dominion  Rifles,  Captain  Dickinson,  as  well  as  the 
detachment  of  the  North  Carolina  Regiment,  under  my  com- 
mand, conducted  themselves  during  the  whole  engagement. 
Respectfully  reported, 

(Signed,)  E.  B.  MONTAGUE, 

Major  Commanding  Va.  Battalion. 
To  Col.  J.  B.  Magruder, 

Commanding  Division. 

(Official,)  John  Withers, 

A.  A.  General. 

A.  &  I.  G.  0.,  March  31,  1862. 


25 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  W.  II.  WERTH. 


Camp  Yorktown,  -Tune  13th.  1861. 

To  John  B.  Magruder, 

Colonel  Command  ins:  Division  : 

I  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  movement 
of  the  troops  under  my  command  at  the  bat'.le  of  Bethel 
Church,  <>n  the  Kith  instant. 

By  the  order  of  E.  B.  Montague,  Major  of  the  Virginia 
Battalion  at  Bethel,  my  company,  the  Chatham  Grays,  was 
placed  in  the  redoubt  to  tin' rear  of  the  church  to  defend  the 
right  wing  in  case  of  a  discomfiture.  From  this  point.  T 
was  detailed  by  your  orders  to  take  position  at  the  ford  on 
the  creek,  about  one  mile  below  the  bridge.  I  crossed  my 
command  over  the  open  field  under  a  shower  of  shell  and 
canister,  which  the  enemy  poured  into  us  from  their  battery, 
hut  sustained  no  dam: 

A  portion  of  the  5th  Xew  York  Zouave  Regiment  (.3  com- 
panies) was  at  this  time  advancing  down  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  stream  for  the  purpose  of  crossing  the  ford,  and 
thereby  turn  our  left  flank.  I  Baw  the  movement,  and  at  once 
took  double  quick  and  made  the  distance  of  over  a  mile  in 
about  nine  minutes,  beating  the  Zouaves  and  getting  in  po- 
sition at  the  ford  in  time  to  cause  them  to  halt.  I  obstructed 
the  ford  in  all  conceivable  ways,  by  felling  trees.  &C.,  and 
then  placed  my  first  platoon  on  the  north  west  side,  under 
cover  of  an  old  mill  dam.  whilst  my  second  platoon  I  placed 
in  ambush  on  the  opposite  side,  where  the  road  leading  to 
the  ford  could  have  been  raked  for  400  yards  with  deadly 
effect.  At  10  o'clock  and  10  minutes,  one  Naval  Howitzer 
with  a  detachment  from  the  Howitzer  Battalion  reported  to 
me  for  duty.  1  at  once  placed  the  gun  in  a  position  12U  yards 
up  the  creek  from  my  infantry,  where  I  had  a  beautiful  range 
for  grape  or  canister  on  a  spot  in  the  road  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  stream,  over  which  the  enemy  would  of  necessi- 
ty pass  in  attemptrhg  the  passage  of  the  ford.  From  this 
point  I  had  the  pleasure  of  getting  one  good  shot  at  the  cue- 


26 

my,  winch  from  the  sudden  rout  of  the  party  at  -which  it  was 
aimed,  must  have  done  much  damage.  I  also  threw  down  all 
the  fences  on  either  side  of  the  creek,  and  cleared  all  the 
undergrowth  and  large  timber  so  that  after  the  enemy  had 
passed  the  range  of  the  howitzer  from  its  first  position,  I 
could  limber  up,  and  in  two  minutes  have  it  in  position  to 
deliver  its  fire  between  my  two  platoons,  and  immediately 
upon  the  ford.  At  10  to  11  A.  M.,  the  Southern  Guard, 
Captain ,  reported  to  me  for  duty.  I  at  once  join- 
ed this  command  with  my  company,  all  entirely  concealed 
from  the  enemy.  At  a  little  past  11  o'clock,  so  completely 
ambuscaded  was  my  entire  force,  one  of  the  enemy  sent 
down  to  examine  the  ford,  come  up  to  within  20  yards  of 
my  position  and  did  not  suspect  the  presence  of  any  force, 
until  I  ordered  him  to  ground  arms,  which  he  instantly  did, 
and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  taking  him  prisoner.  He  had  a 
fine  Minnie  musket,  accoutrements,  and  45  rounds  of  car- 
tridges. I  placed  him  under  guard,  and  afterwards  forward- 
ed him  to  Headquarters.  All  the  men  "under  my  command 
displayed  a  wonderful  degree  of  coolness  for  troops  who  had 
never  been  under  fire,  and  I  am  assured  if  we  had  been  so 
fortunate  as  to  have  been  attacked  by  a  force  five  times  our 
strength,  that  the  command  would  have  made  a  desperate  re- 
sistance. 

At  sun  down  I  was  ordered  to  withdraw. 

This  special  report  is  rendered  necessary  }jy  my  being  de- 
tached from  Major  Montague's  Battalion. 
With  high  respect, 

I  am  sir,  yours,  &c, 

W.  H.  WERTH, 
Copt.  Chatham  Grays,  Va.  Vols. 

(Official,)  John  Withers, 

A.  A.  Geiural. 

A.  &  I.  G.  0.,  March  31,  1862. 


REPORT  OF  CArT.  W.  II.  WERTII. 


Headquarters,  ) 

Yorktown.   June    12th.   1  tS6 1 .  <> 

Col.  J.  B.  Magri  der, 

Commanding  Division  : 

Sir:   I  beg  leave,  very  respectfully,  to  make  the  following 

report  of  my  scout : 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  the  9th  of  June.  1861,  I  procured 

the  corn  and  oats  on  the  Rack  river  road.  as  ordered,  and 
had  the  wagons  returning  to  ramp  in  two  hours  and  a  quar- 
ter from  the  receipt  of  the  order.  I  was  then  joined  by  one 
company  of  North  Carolina  infantry,  one  piece  of  the  how- 
itzer battery,  and  a  detachment  of  ('apt.  Douthatt's  cavalry, 
as  I  supposed,  to  assist  mo  in  making  observations  near 
Hampton,  on  the  Back  river.  I  approached  New  Market 
Bridge  at  5  o'clock  P.  M.,  planted  the  howitzer  so  as  to 
sweep  the  bridge,  deployed  my  infantry  in  open  order,  on 
my  right  flank,  in  ambush,  so  that  they  could  rake  the  r 
The  cavalry  I  posted  in  the  rear,  and  threw  out  videttes  on 
each  of  my  Hanks,  to  avoid  a  surprise.  In  this  position,  I 
waited  for  the  appearance  of  the  enemy.  I.  of  course,  had 
no  idea  of  endangering  my  command  by  engaging  the  ene- 
my, if  in  force.  1  was  too  weak.  In  a  few  moments  alarm 
guns  were  fired  by  a  chain  of  sentinels,  extending  from  New 
Market  Bridge  to  Fortress  Monroe.  In  a  few  moments  a 
force  advanced  from  Hampton,  (supposed  to  lie  a  battalion  of 
infantry,  but  marching  in  detached  companies.)  whilst,  at 
the  same  time,  one  or  more  companies  approached  by  the 
road  leading  from  Newport  News.  These  forces  were  each 
advancing  upon  New  Market  Ihidge  from  opposite  directions, 
thinking  I  had  crossed  the  bridge  with  my  command.  Upon 
observing  their  approach  with  a  glass,  1  quietly  retired  from 
my  position  to  a  point  in  the  rear,  three-quarters  of  a  mile. 
The  enemy  approached  the  bridge,  and  when  they  suddenly 
came  in  sight  of  each  other,  they  (each  mistaking  the  other 


28 

for  me,)  opened  fire  and  kept  it  up  for  some  five  minutes  be- 
fore they  discovered  their  error.  I  was  sitting  on  my  horse, 
near  the  bridge,  and  sow  the  firing  plainly  -with  my  glass, 
but  did  not,  at  the  time,  know  the  cause,  although  I  sus- 
pected it.  At  dusk  I  took  up  the  march  for  Bethel  Church, 
the  enemy  following  me,  and  the  next  morning  the  fight 
opened. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  II.  WERTH. 

One  of  the  prisoners  taken  (since  dead,)  stated  that,  in 
this  brush,  there  were  6  killed  and  13  wounded;  and  cor- 
roborated all  the  above  statements  of  my  report. 

W.  II.  WERTH. 

Official :  John  Withers 

Assistant  Adjutant-  General. 
A.  &  I.  G.  0.,  March  31,  1862. 


29 


REPORT  OF  TACT.   W.  II.  WERTit. 


Camp  Yorktown,  June  12th.  1861. 

To  Col.  J.  P>.  Magruder, 

Commanding  Division  : 

Sir  :  I  beg  leave  to  make  tlie  following  report  of  a  recon- 
noisance, made  by  me.  of  the  enemy's  position  at  Newport 
News,  on  Friday,  7th  June.  1861  : 

I  had  under  my  command  20  picked  men  and  h<  rses,  from 
the  Old  Dominion  Dragoons,  "together  with  two  men  from 
my  company.''  Capt.  Philips  accompanied  me.  as  did  Lieut. 
Gary  and  Lieut.  Harrison,  the  latter  from  the  Charles  City 
cavalry.  My  object  was  to  make  a  close  examination  of  the 
enemy's  works  at  Newport  News,  which  I  knew  would  be  of 
service  to  you  in  your  future  movements.  1  did  not  start 
with  the  intention  of  pressing  my  men  into  certain  ruin  by 
an  attack  upon  an  overwhelming  force,  but  simply  to  make 
a  reliable  reconnoisance.  At  about  1  o'clock.  J  had  ap- 
proached the  enemy's  position  to  within  two  miles.  I,  Capt. 
Philips,  and  two  men,  were  in  advance  of  the  detachment 
some  41  tO  yards,  whilst  two  men  marched  the  same  distance 
in  rear.  At  this  juncture  1  saw  a  squad  of  eight  men  on 
the  bank  of  James  river,  and  distant  from  me  some  distance, 
pi'obably  a  mile  and  a  half.  I  examined  them  with  my  glass 
and  knew  them  to  be  soldiers.  They  immediately  iled  to- 
wards their  fortifications.  I  saw  at  once  that,  if  I  allowed 
them  to  reach  the  works  and  give  the  alarm,  that  my  whole 
command  might  be  cut  off  and  my  reconnoisance  broken  up, 
so  I  at  once  ordered  a  forward  movement  at  speed,  so  that  I 
might  cut  them  off.  Our  advance  party  of  five  being  better 
mounted,  and  having  so  much  the  start,  distanced  the  de- 
tachment in  running  the  two  miles,  and  placed  them  proba- 
bly 600  yards  in  the  rear.  When  our  little  advance  party 
had  ridden  to  within  700  yards  of  Newport  News  fortifica- 
tions, I  ordered  Capt.  Philips  and  the  two  men  of  the  ad- 
vance guard  to  change  direction  to  the  right,  so  that  he 


30 

might  get  between  the  eight  fugitives  and  the  works,  whilst 
I  continued  my  direct  advance  upon  the  works,  thinking,  if 
Capt.  Philips  failed  to  intercept  these  men,  that  J  should 
certainly  meet  them.  After  I  had  approached  the  fortifica- 
tions of  the  enemy  to  within  400  yards,  I  turned  to  the  right, 
(the  James  river  side,)  to  head  the  eight  men.  I  had  gone 
in  this  direction  probably  two  or  three  hundred  yards,  when 
suddenly  I  came  up  to  within  fifty  yards  of  a  party  of  the 
enemy,  engaged  in  cutting  wood.  I  was  then  entirely  alone. 
I  halted  and  hid  myself  behind  a  thicket,  only  twenty  yards 
from  the  [tarty.  Here  I  remained  long  enough  to  count  the 
number  of  men,  distinguish  the  officers,  &c.  In  about  three 
minutes  the  eight  men  (whom  Capt.  Philips  had  failed  to  in- 
tercept,) raised  the  alarm  in  the  Massachusetts  regiment, 
(which  was  encamped  outside  of  the  works,  and  not  more 
than  16'!  yards  from  the  spot  where  I  stood,)  and  I  at  once 
saw  that  I  must  do  quickly  whatever  I  intended  doing,  so  I 
reined  my  horse  back  and  walked  him  ouc  into  the  clearing, 
in  plain  view  of  the  whole  party,  and  not  more  than  twenty 
paces  from  them,  picked  out  the  commissioned  officer  and 
shot  him  dead  in  his  tracks.      The  whole  party  then  yelled 

"  look  out.  look  out  for  the  d d  Virginia  horsemen,  they 

are  down  upon  us,"  &c,  and  at  once  threw  down  everything 
they  had,  and  commenced  a  retreat  at  a  double  quick.  I  put 
the  spurs  to  my  horse  and  rode  into  them  at  full  speed,  (giv- 
ing, at  the  same  time,  a  loud  walla-walla  war-whoop,)  and 
then  delivered  my  second  shot,  Avhich  brought  another  man 
(a  private)  dead  to  the  ground.  (I  shot  the  first  one  through 
the  heart,  and  the  last  one  under  the  right  shoulder-blade.) 
My  horse  by  this  time  became  totally  unmanageable,  and  my 
third  fire  missed  its  aim  but  killed  a  sorrel  mule.  I  fired 
only  these  three  shots.  The  party  consisted  of  tw tut y -seven 
privates  of  infantry,  two  privates  of  artillery,  one  commis- 
sioned officer  and  one  non-commissioned  officer  of  infantry — 
in  all  thirty-one.  Their  uniform  corresponded  with  mine — 
gray  cloth  with  black  trimming.  Capt.  Philips  and  his 
party  of  two  men  had  been  joined,  in  the  meantime,  by  the 
main  party,  and  I  soon  crossed  over  to  them.  We  then  gal- 
loped after  the  retreating  enemy,  but  saw  one  or  two  com- 
panies from  the  regiment  running  to  the  rescue,  which  in- 
duced me  to  apprehend  an  attack.  In  this  I  was  mistaken, 
for,  instead  of  the  party  of  thirty-one  rallying  in  the  two 
companies,  the  two  companies  partook  of  the  panic,  and 
rushed  back   towards   the  fortifications,  yelling   "Virginia 


31 

horsemen"  as  long  as  I  staid  to  hear  them.  The  party  of 
thirty-one  had  their  arms  stacked  against  a  tree,  whilst  four 
of  them  were  on  guard  with  their  muskets.  I  cannol  Bay 
whether  the  guard  fired  or  not,  I  did  not  pay  much  attention 
to  them.  The  two  companies  which  came  to  the  rescue  had 
their  muskets,  but  forgot  to  fire.  On  the  left  wing  of  the 
encampment  there  was  a  field  nattery  of  two  brass  12- 
pounders,  unjjmbered,  which  were  not  over  150  or  10<> 
yards  from  us.  but  the  gunners  had  abandoned  the  battery. 
If  I  had  not  been  so  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  gun-  ol 
the  fortifications  al  Newport  News,  (only  about  600  yards 
off',)  I  should  certainly  have  burnt  the  whole  encampment, 
for  it  is  my  firm  impression  the  whole  regiment  ran  into  the 
works  and  abandoned  everything. 

Capt  Philips,  I  must  Bay,  proved,  upon  this  occasion, 
that  he  was  a  man  of  consummate  coolness  and  bravery,  and 
his  men  arc  of  that  kind  of  metal  which  can  he  relied  upon 
under  any  and  alt  circumstances.  Lieuts.  Cary  and  Harri- 
son were  prepared  for  anything,  and.  I  am  convinced,  would 
have  followed  to  any  place  where  their  horses  could  have 
leaped. 

In  making  the  approach,  T  went  by  New  Market  Bridge 
and  St.  (lairs  steam  mill,  hut,  upon  returning.  I  took  a  new 
road  through  the  woods,  fearing  the  troops  from  Hampton 
had  formed  an  ambuscade  tor  my  reception.  1  returned  to 
Bethel  by  ti  o'clock  without  damage,  ami  then  joined  my 
command,  on   1",  cosin  river. 

1  am,  sir.  yours  respectfully. 

W.  H.  WERTH, 
Captain  Chatham  Grays,  Va.   1'ils. 

Official:  John  Withers, 

Assistant  Adjutant- G  neral. 

A.  &  1.  ti.  (»..  March  31,  18G2. 


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